Rangers on a high after fightback show

ON PARADE . . . Saddleworth Rangers players, officials and coaching staff in front of the new clubhouse at Shaw Hall Bank Road

SADDLEWORTH Rangers made it back-to-back wins to open their Kingstone Press National Conference League Division Two campaign in perfect fashion.

Having already seen off Oulton Raiders 33-21 at Shaw Hall Bank Road, Craig Farrimond's men were faced with the tricky test of a fixture away at a Thornhill Trojans side who entered the contest with their own two-from-two winning record.

But despite falling behind just before half-time, the Greenfield club recorded a 38-24 triumph to move to fifth in the early-season standings.

Anthony Morrison ran in a hat-trick of tries, Ben Whitehead got two and Gavin Dodd the other, while Whitehead landed seven goals as a 14-12 deficit was turned into a comfortable victory.

Thornhill's points came through George Woodcock (two), Ryan Fenton and Sam Ratcliffe, the latter man kicking four goals.

In Division Three, Waterhead Warriors made the long trek to Gateshead Storm but came back empty-handed after a 40-18 defeat.

The hosts had the game wrapped up by half-time, establishing a commanding 30-6 lead.

Steve Welton (two), Chris Parker Jnr, Liam O'Halloran, Dom Mewes, Dan Rhodes and Michael Mitchell and went over the try line for the north-east outfit, with Parker Jnr also kicking six goals.

NETTED

Waterhead, whose star man was Jake O'Grady, netted tries through Jack Pemberton, Matthew Holland, Matt Fogarty and Matthew Barran, with Pemberton converting once.

Oldham St Anne's had no game in Division Three, as their hosting of Eastmoor Dragons was not possible due to a waterlogged Higginshaw Road pitch.

Saints, who have yet to play a league game due to postponements, are due to face Dewsbury Celtic at home on Saturday.

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